Monday, May 31, 2010

My family joined a CSA (community supported agriculture) this year, so we have a small share at an organic farm just north of here in Perry County. Every Tuesday, we get a box full of goodies, and it's always a surprise as to exactly what will be in season and available. So, I especially appreciate that each box also includes several recipes that incorporate at least some of the ingredients provided in the box.

Last Tuesday our box contained lots of greens -- yummy lettuces and spinach. There was also a recipe for a pasta that incorporated spinach that I thought my husband and I would enjoy, as well as our 10-month old. It was delicious! He's actually warming up the leftovers as I type!

What to do:Cook the pasta and drain. In the same pot you cooked the pasta in, melt 1/4 cup butter, add the garlic and onion, and cook five minutes on low. Add the spinach and carrots and stir often over high heat until just wilted. Add the salt and pepper. Toss with the pasta. Turn heat to very low, add the half and half and cheese; stir until warm. Serve hot.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Today I am foregoing my recipe post and making a (somewhat) shameless plug for my exciting new venture. I recently became a representative for Wildtree, and I'm loving every minute! I have already learned so much about the food we eat and how bad all those additives are for us. Wildtree products are all-natural with zero dyes, fillers, preservatives, MSG, pesticides, and the ever-present high fructose corn syrup. If you can't pronounce it, you won't find it on the label!

Their mission is to not only make it easier and more affordable to eat healthy foods but also to help people realize that cooking is fun and creative! Let's face it, we are a fast food nation where convenience often comes at the cost of our health. Wildtree is designed to be quick, simple, and healthy!

If you want to learn more about Wildtree, host a tasting, or join this rapidly growing company please contact me directly at wildtreemommy@gmail.com. (I paid off my $99 business kit from my launch party, and the kit is risk-free if you eat it!) And to see all our products check out my website at: wildtreemommy.mywildtree.com. I'd love to hear from you!!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

If there were a blog or a film entitledDulcimer & Julia -- and I assure you neither is forthcoming anytime soon -- it wouldn't be about me carefully following her recipes to the letter over the course of a year. I am neither disciplined nor obedient enough for that kind of endeavor. Rather, it would consist of me making substitutions, blunders, and shortcuts to try to achieve Julia-esque results with a little less fuss and slightly clearer instructions

So here's my version of her poulet rôti à la normande. Instead of trussing the chicken with a mattress needle, I tied it up modern-home-cook style. And, because I am lazy and I couldn't figure out how to do it safely, I didn't turn the chicken on its side as it roasted. And instead of tarragon and thyme, I seasoned the stuffing with herbes de Provence. Finally, instead of using chicken livers and other organs for stuffing, I used . . . drumroll, please . . . bacon. I know, it may have been overly decadent. But you can't go wrong with bacon.

Or can you?

You should be warned that, although I've simplified this recipe a bit, it still requires some serious basting action. You'll want to make sure that you can stay by the oven for more than an hour, as you will be basting every eight to ten minutes. But the taste is worth it.

Poulet rôti à la normande

Stuffing

1/2 to 3/4 pound bacon (thick-cut or slab bacon would be nice here), cut into chunks

1 shallot or 2 Tbsp green onions

2/3 cup coarse fresh breadcrumbs

4 Tbsp cream cheese

1 Tbsp butter

1 tsp herbes de Provence, or a combination of thyme and tarragon

2-3 Tbsp minced fresh parsley

In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon. When it's beginning to look somewhat cooked (but not crispy yet), add the shallot or green onions and sauté until softened and slightly brown around the edges. Leaving most of the bacon fat in the skillet, pour the bacon and onion mixture into a mixing bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, cream cheese, 1 Tbsp of the butter, and herbs. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Chicken

3 pound roaster chicken, whole

2-3 Tbsp butter

several teaspoons of kosher salt

a few pieces of cut-up carrots, celery, and onions (whatever you have on hand)

3 Tbsp chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream

lemon juice to taste

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Rub the chicken cavity lightly with salt and loosely fill with the stuffing. Bend and tuck wings behind the chicken's back (when the breast is up, the chicken's back will be resting on the wings). Tie legs together tightly. If any "tail" meat or skin is hanging down, tuck it up under the legs. This will keep moisture (and the stuffing)inside the chicken.

Pat the chicken dry, and rub all over with 1 Tbsp butter, then follow with kosher salt. Place chicken in a roasting pan and scatter cut-up vegetables around it (these will help to flavor the sauce). Roast at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and brush with more butter (when juices begin to accumulate in the pan, you can baste with these, but until that happens you need to baste with butter or olive oil).

Continue roasting for 55 to 65 minutes, basting every 8 to 10 minutes. About 10 minutes before the end of the estimated roasted time, begin basting with 2 to 3 tablespoons of cream every 3-4 minutes until the chicken is done. Remove pan from oven and transfer chicken to a carving board. Loosely tent with foil and let chicken rest for at least 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, add chicken stock and bring pan juices to a boil on the stove. Boil rapidly for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up any brown bits. Just before serving, remove from heat and stir in additional cream (if desired). Add a small amount of lemon juice to taste.

Serve chicken with a small amount of stuffing on the side and sauce poured on top. Sautéed mushrooms and peas are a wonderful accompaniment to this dish.

Adapted from Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, and Simone Beck

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Nothing beats a steaming dish of hot Manicotti served with a fresh salad and garlic bread. Have I got your attention? And to top it off...this recipe is easier to prepare than you think! You will never buy manicotti shells from the store again. Promise.

Oh, and to mix things up a bit, you may add 10oz of frozen spinach, thawed and drained if you want.

What You'll Need

Crepes

2c flour
4 eggs
1c milk
1c water
1/4tsp salt
4TBS melted butter

What to do for crepes:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.

Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side.

Lay crepe on flat surface. Place an even amount of ricotta into the center of crepe and roll up.

Spread 1/2 c spaghetti sauce in 9x13 pan.

Place crepes, seam-side down, over sauce; pour remaining sauce over top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Notes: The crepes will store, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to two days in the refrigerator. You can even fill and arrange them in the casserole dish the night before so it's ready to bake when you get home from work. Even better...the finished dish also heats well in the microwave, so make a double batch on the weekend and you've got an easy, homemade re-heat for busy weeknights.

*This is one of those great recipes adapted from a friend — Ceci — also a contributor on The Foodie Spot. Read more...

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

I got this from the $5 Dinner website. It was very yummy! I would double everything but the noodles if you are feeding a family of 4. I made what the recipe said and realized that it just wasn't enough for our family. We barely had enough for the 1st round of dinner.

*Throw beef in the freezer for ten minutes then slice. Much easier to make thin slices this way.

Directions
Cook rice noodles according to package directions until just soft. Drain, rinse with cold water then set aside. (Erin here: Use thin spaghetti in place of rice noodles if you don’t need a gluten free meal.)
In a large wok, heat oil over high heat. Add beef, peppers, ginger and garlic and cook until beef is just cooked, about 3 – 5 minutes. Add in beef broth and soy sauce. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat.
Add in spinach and cooked noodles. Heat through until spinach wilts then stir in cilantro before serving in deep bowls.
Read more...

What to do:Place onion and garlic in a slow cooker. Sprinkle chicken with seasonings; place in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high setting for six hours (took about five hours in my super-toasty Crock Pot). Stir together yogurt, sour cream, and cucumber in a small bowl; chill. Fill pita halves with chicken and drizzle with yogurt sauce.

Friday, May 21, 2010

I can not tell you how many times I have made this recipe since I discovered it, but it's probably averaging about once every 10 days. We love it that much! And of course I can't follow a recipe to save my life (even when making it for the first time). The cumin and corn are my additions and the finished product is much better for it. And I always have, always will make them with with Wildtree fajitas! It's a perfect combination. (The photo was taken when I used leftover rice and added grilled chicken and cheese to make a burrito.)

How to Make It:1) Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Saute rice, onion, and green pepper until veggies are crisp tender and rice is slightly browned.2) Stir in water or broth and tomatoes. Season with cumin, salt, and chili powder. Cover, and simmer, for 25 minutes until liquid is mostly absorbed. Stir in corn and cook another 5 minutes until rice is done and liquid is absorbed.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

I am not a morning person. That, combined with the fact that my husband doesn't really eat breakfast (I know, I know, it's the most important meal of the day; but he gets along fine without it), means that breakfast around here is usually cereal. However, once in a while, I make breakfast for dinner; and that is a fun treat that definitely makes my boys happy.

When I do, I often make these two sauces which are great on either waffles or pancakes (and would also be great on Dulcimer's french toast which she paired with a delicious raspberry sauce that is similar to this blueberry one...if you need a pancake recipe, check out this one from Lisa).

Orange Sauce

What You Need

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. frozen orange juice concentrate

What You Do

Combine ingredients in a pan. Bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Blueberry Sauce

What You Need

1/2 c. sugar

3 tsp. cornstarch

dash salt

1/4 c. water

1 pint blueberries

1 tbsp. lemon juice

What You Do

Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water. Add blueberries. Bring to a boil; simmer until clear and thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and add lemon juice.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Confession: This was the most involved cake that I've ever made...but so worth it. The planets must have been perfectly aligned because I even made lemon curd — something I've never done before — and it actually turned out! (I was afraid I'd scorch the sugar and it would taste like a burnt lemon cake)

The end result was amazing — the fluffy icing was the perfect compliment to the tart lemon filling.

Tip: To make things easier...the filling can be prepared two days ahead, and the cake can be made a day ahead of assembly — just cool the layers completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make the frosting just before putting the cake together.

Begin by preparing the filling: Measure 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice into a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over the top to soften. With a mortar and pestle or with your fingertips in a small bowl, work the lemon zest into the sugar until the sugar is fragrant and evenly moistened with the oils from the zest.

Heat the rest of the lemon juice, the lemon sugar, and salt in a medium non-reactive saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is hot but not bubbling. Whisk the whole eggs and egg yolks in a large, non-reactive bowl. Slowly whisk the lemon syrup into the eggs, then return the mixture to the saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook the curd, stirring constantly, until it reaches 170 degrees and it's thick enough to draw a trail through it with a spatula. Stir in the softened gelatin until completely dissolved.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the frozen butter until the butter has melted and the curd is smooth. Pour through a fine mesh sieve into a non-reactive bowl. Cover the surface of the curd with plastic wrap and chill until firm, at least four hours or up to two days.

To make the cake, adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

In a large measuring cup, whisk together the milk, egg whites and vanilla. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt at low speed. With the mixer running on low speed, add the butter pieces one at a time until the mixture resembles fine, even crumbs. Stop the mixer and add all but about 1/2 cup of the wet ingredients. Beat the batter at medium speed until it is pale and fluffy, about 1 1/2 minutes. With the mixer running on low, slowly pour in the rest of the wet ingredients, then crank the speed back up to medium and beat for 30 seconds more. Scrape down the bowl and beat for 30 more seconds.

Divide the batter equally among the two cake pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 23 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean--do not over bake. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove the cakes from the pans, peel off the parchment and cool completely, right side up.

When the filling has chilled and the cake layers are cool, begin assembling the cake. Slice the cake layers in half horizontally. Place one layer golden side down on a serving platter, and tuck a few strips of parchment paper under the edges of the cake to protect the platter. Spread a third of the lemon filling on the cake layer, leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edge of the cake. Repeat twice more with cake layers and filling. Place the top layer of the cake golden side up. Frost with Fluffy White Icing. This cake is best served as soon as possible, but the finished cake can be covered with a cake dome and refrigerated up to one day before serving.

In the bowl of a standing mixer or another aluminum bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Place the bowl over a medium saucepan with about an inch of gently simmering water, making sure the water level doesn't touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir the mixture constantly and check the temperature often with an instant-read thermometer until it reaches 160 degrees.

Dry off the bottom of the bowl and place it on the mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or set up an electric hand mixer). Whip the frosting on medium speed until it becomes opaque and soft peaks form, about five minutes. Turn the mixer up to medium-high and whip until the frosting is glossy, billowy and reaches a stiff peak and cools down to room temperature, about five minutes more. Use immediately and serve as soon as possible.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

This has become an all time favorite of my family. Davene had gotten it from a friend of hers and made it for us when I had our youngest last year. We really enjoyed this recipe and everyone is excited when they know I'm making it for dinner!

Prepare wild rice as instructed on the box, replacing one cup of water with one cup of broth. When rice is completed, combine all the ingredients together, except the french fried onions. Top with the french fried onions. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.
Read more...

Monday, May 17, 2010

Do you love feta? I do. I'm not much for making appetizer-type dishes usually, but this recipe jumped right off the pages of Southern Living at me a few months ago. I made it for Easter lunch -- a snacky prelude to Easter dinner -- and then made it again last week (to rave reviews) for a luncheon at work. It's delicious and sure to be a hit at your house too!

*I had to add a little more olive oil while pulsing the mixture in the food processor to get the spread to the consistency I desired. The extra oil did not seem to hinder the taste in any way!Recipes from Southern Living, April 2010.

Friday, May 14, 2010

This recipe is originally from the More with Less cookbook and a favorite dish in our house. I always have the ingredients on hand so it's an easy fix to the it's-4:00-and-I-need-to-make-something-for-dinner problem. If you so chose, you can make it meat-free. After having made this many, many times, I am posting it the way I like to make it, which includes doubling the soy sauce mixture.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

I am a cookie fanatic. I estimate that I spend approximately one-third of my life thinking about chocolate, and half of that time is spent thinking about cookies with chocolate. So when I started baking scones a few years ago, I kept thinking there had to be a way to retain the creamy crumbliness of a scone and still make it yummier . . . like a cookie. So over time, my scones became more cookie-like -- sweeter, moister, more chocolatey -- and of course, I threw in my very favorite dried fruit: cherries.

Sconies are some of my favorite things to make (and it took me a long time to decide whether or not to share this recipe). It only takes me a few minutes to whip up a batch, and they always seem to hit the spot, whether it's 7 a.m. or 10 p.m. Savor them with a cup of tea or coffee, or treat them like the cookie cousins they are and wash them down with a tall glass of milk.

Sconies

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into very small cubes

2/3 cup dried Montmorency cherries

2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup heavy cream

Coarse sugar, for dusting

Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Scatter butter cubes across the flour mixture and use a pastry blender to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Add dried cherries and chocolate chips.

Stir in the cream with a rubber spatula until a soft dough begins to form (there will be lots of floury crumbs). Then, to bring it all together, reach your hands into the bowl and knead the floury bits into the moist dough until just combined. (If you prefer, you could turn the mixture out onto the counter and knead it together there.)

Turn the dough out onto a counter (or into a 9-inch pie plate) and form the dough into a 9-inch disc. Cut the disc into 8 wedges and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Place sconies on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Reduce oven temperature to 425 degrees just before placing sconies in the oven and bake until the tops are just beginning to turn golden in spots and they are nicely browned on the bottom (usually about 12 minutes, but I watch them carefully).

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

It seems there are numerous ways to prepare chili — various meats, red chili or green chili, or adding kidney beans or no beans at all — the combinations are endless. I have to say that with this recipe I have conquered the world of chili. And since the weather can't decide whether it wants to be warm or cold...it's still, at least in my kitchen, OK to make a winter time soup.

Everyone has their favorite chili recipe. This is mine, what's is yours??

1. In a large saucepan brown 1 1/4 pounds of the ground meat (the beef and the pork), drain the fat.
2. Remove meat (the beef and the pork). Brown the rest of the ground meat, drain all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
3. Add the garlic and onion, cook and stir until tender.
4. Add the other half of the meat and the tomato sauce, water, beer, chili powder, bouillon, cumin, paprika, oregano, sugar, coriander, cocoa, and hot sauce. Mix well.
5. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 2 hours.
6. In a small bowl, stir together the cornmeal and flour, then add the warm water and mix well.
7. Stir into chili and cook, covered, for an additional 20 minutes.

**My changes: add 2 additional cups of water, petite diced tomatoes, 1 can kidney beans. Nothing else. If you want to cut some of the heat, don't add the hot sauce and add only half of the chili powder.
Read more...

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

I don't know where I got this recipe, but have had it for a while. I made it before I was married to my hubby and enjoyed it then. I was anxious to make it again. There has been some hesitancy to make this since it does call for 2 lbs of shrimp. But once in a while you must indulge! :-)

Saute the onion in the olive oil, then stir in the green onion and garlic stirring frequently for 2 minutes. Then stir in the tomatoes, wine, parsley, oregano, salt, & pepper. Simmer gently for 30 minutes. After you are done simmering add the shrimp. You can cook the shrimp 1 of two ways. The recipe calls for you to bake the shrimp at 500 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Or you could add to the mixture after it has simmered for 30 minutes and cook the shrimp till it is done. I put the shrimp in the mixture and cooked it that way this time and it was definitely very flavorful.

Place the shrimp on a plate and top with Feta cheese. I also added Gluten Free Feta noodles to it and it was very good!
Read more...

Thursday, May 6, 2010

I don't know about your part of the country, but 'round these here parts, we've been enjoying gorgeous weather recently - just the right kind of weather for this super-easy dessert. When the temperature rises, don't turn on your oven to bake a dessert. Just whip up Pineapple Milk Sherbet, and keep your cool. :)

This recipe, by the way, was handed down to me by my mother who got it from her mother. A three-generation recipe - so far. I'd be delighted to walk into the home of one of my sons, twenty years from now, and be served this sherbet!

What You Need

1 1/3 c. sugar

1 can (20 oz.) crushed pineapple

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 qt. milk

What You Do

Combine ingredients, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Freeze firm, then thaw slightly so you can beat it. Refreeze after beating. Garnish, if desired, with fresh pineapple.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

This is one of those fun and easy recipes that you can alter to your liking. There are a lot of different versions out there — I came up with my own version to fit what I had on hand. Oh, and I used my new favorite seasoning from Costco — Organic No Salt Seasoning — it made everything perfection.

Unroll crescent roll dough. On a well greased baking sheet take 2 rolls (they are triangle) and connect them together making a rectangle.

Drop spoon fulls of chicken mixture on the center of the rectangles.

Fold sides and corners of dough, sealing in the filling. Turn over, seam side down, and place on baking sheet.

Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Keep in mind depending on how you seal the dough, parts of it will be pretty thick so be sure and cook long enough that it won't be doughy. Ick.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

We love this recipe from the More With Less Cookbook. Brief history: My hubby and I adopted our 2nd daughter from China in 2007. So we have a heart for Chinese food. We broke down and bought sticky rice from the local Chinese restaurant so we could eat with chopsticks. He even picked up my favorite, fried noodles. My Chinese daughter does not like Uncle Ben's rice, but loves sticky rice. :-) Our 6 yr old loves to eat with chopsticks, so this was a treat for all of us to eat this meal entirely with chopsticks. Definitely cheaper than going out for Chinese. So enjoy!

Heat the oil in a skillet and then add the beef. Brown the beef, once browned add the following: scallions, garlic, & ginger. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 3 hrs. Add more liquid if needed. Just before serving thicken with small amount flour if desired. Serve over rice or noodles.

Alterations: FYI: if you don't have scallions or ginger on hand, you can still make this delicious recipe. There are many times the kids are craving Chinese, or mom is, and I still make this recipe anyways. I also cooked some stir-fry veggies on the side and then mixed everything together before dinner.
Read more...

Monday, May 3, 2010

Ok...so this isn't the most glamorous or creative recipe. But, it is delicious!

I've been in a bit of a cooking funk lately. I'm feeling rather uninspired, despite all the delicious recipes here on The Foodie Spot and in the bazillion cookbooks that I own. So, it was time to revisit a classic.

Actually, I think I'm using up all my creative cooking energy making baby food for my little girl. She's eating like a queen -- purees like carrot-cauliflower-tomato-basil and chicken with sweet potatoes and apples. For lunch the other day she had whole wheat pasta with steamed broccoli, a pad of butter, and parmesan cheese. That same day I'm pretty sure I had a bowl of Cheerios!

Anyhow, here's a great recipe for sloppy joes. They're quick, easy, and as mentioned, delicious!

Brown the meat with the onion. Add seasonings if you like. (Every once and awhile I go crazy and sprinkle some cajun seasoning in there, but usually I don't add any seasonings...even though I'm a hard core recipe follower!)

Mix other ingredients together and add to browned meat. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Serve on rolls (whole wheat is best!) with a side of sweet potato fries. Yum!

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